TOM SUOZZI WINS AGAIN! A PERSONAL VICTORY FOR A GUY I GREW UP WITH — AND SOMEONE WHO ALWAYS STOOD UP FOR WHAT HE BELIEVED IN

 

Tom Suozzi Wins Election

Some election victories are more personal than others. For me, the reelection of Congressman Tom Suozzi is one of them.

I grew up with Tom Suozzi, long before the political campaigns, television appearances, newspaper headlines and his years in Washington. I knew him as a person, and one thing I can say about Tom is that he was always a standup guy.

You can learn a lot about someone by watching how they treat people before they become powerful or famous. I knew Tom growing up, and the person I remember is someone who carried himself with decency and stood up for what he believed in.

Now, years later, Tom has once again won the confidence of voters in New York's Third Congressional District.

A big win on Long Island

Suozzi defeated Republican challenger Michael LiPetri in the November 3, 2026 election, winning reelection to Congress. NBC News called the race, with early returns showing Suozzi ahead by a substantial margin.

The victory is particularly noteworthy because the district had been considered competitive. In 2024, Suozzi defeated LiPetri by a much narrower margin.

This time, Suozzi expanded his advantage, despite considerable Republican spending and support for his opponent.

A career built on public service

Tom Suozzi's political career began close to home.

He served as mayor of Glen Cove from 1994 to 2001 before becoming Nassau County executive, a position he held from 2002 to 2009.

He later represented New York in Congress from 2017 through 2023, returned to Washington following his 2024 special-election victory, and has continued to represent the district.

In Washington, Suozzi has developed a reputation for working across party lines. He is a co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which brings Democrats and Republicans together to work on legislation.

His priorities have included taxes, infrastructure, affordability and finding common ground in an increasingly divided political environment.

Why this election matters

Suozzi's victory comes at a time when voters are expressing strong feelings about the direction of the country.

The campaign featured debates about taxes, the economy, government spending and the policies of President Donald Trump.

His Republican opponent, Michael LiPetri, received strong support from Trump-aligned Republicans, making this race another important political contest on Long Island.

But Suozzi prevailed, giving Democrats another victory in a congressional district that has attracted considerable national attention.

For me, it's also about the person

I have covered politicians, celebrities and some of the biggest names in New York for many years. I've learned that there is often a difference between the public image someone presents and the person you knew before the cameras arrived.

With Tom, I can speak from personal experience.

I grew up with him. I remember the person, not just the politician. And I have always considered him a standup guy.

You don't have to agree with every political position someone takes to appreciate the kind of person they are. Politics can be rough, friendships can cross party lines, and elections can bring out the worst in people.

But some things matter beyond politics: character, loyalty and how you treat people.

Congratulations to Tom Suozzi on his victory. It's been quite a journey from the days when we were growing up to seeing him represent Long Island in the United States Congress.

Sometimes the best way to judge a person isn't by the office they hold, but by the person they were before they ever held it.

And that's the Tom Suozzi I remember.

Photo Courtesy Of House.Gov